Jordan Times
Monday, November 7, 2005
Kingdom to host regional tourism forum
AMMAN (JT) — Senior executives from leading
international and regional travel agencies will meet in Jordan in February to
discuss the opportunities and challenges in the regional tourism sector,
organisers announced on Sunday.
The two-day Middle East Travel and Tourism Summit 2006 (METTS) will bring
together 500 industry leaders, finance houses and senior government officials
from emerging and developed tourism markets in the region including North
Africa, Turkey and Iran.
UK-based Middle East Association (MEA) and Compass Rose International are
coordinating the event, which is organised locally by Events Unlimited of
Jordan.
“The Middle East travel and tourism market experienced significant recovery in
2005 and is expected to grow in 2006 and beyond,” said Michael Thomas, director
of trade at the MEA, in the statement. “Forecasts describe a boom in all aspects
of the tourism sector, from internal demand and consumption, to government
spending, investment and international visitors. Tourism is becoming recognised
as the fastest growing economic sector in the Middle East, providing substantial
foreign exchange earnings and job creation throughout most of the region,” added
Thomas.
Supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism
Board, in addition to other international and regional organisations, the
conference will focus on defining ways to achieve sustainable development
through tourism by building strong partnerships between local, regional and
international private and public sectors.
“Through its 12 panels and dedicated networking sessions, [METTS will] explore a
broad spectrum of topics assisting in developing this key sector,” said Susan
Sandouka, managing director of Compass Rose International.
Organisers said they decided to hold the summit in Jordan for the first time “in
light of the great progress that has been made by the Jordanian government to
further its tourism industry and promote sustainable development,” commented
Samar Ashqar of Events Unlimited.